"My Son Eric Zongker's First Contemporary Furniture Piece"

When My son, a 17 year old, junior at Millard South High School. Asked if he could have some help making a chair/bench with a lot of bending, in the legs and back. For his school project. I asked him; I don’t know are you ready for something that complicated. Of course he said, of cource I am. I was thinking to myself. I really don’t have time to make another piece of furniture right now.

To my surprise. For the first time he was really into it. I was thinking he wouldn’t reach this level of concentration until he was a little older. He has been working on this project for about two months now. He’s been working around 20 hours a week. Mostly on the weekends. I would have to say that I have never been more proud of him. He’s been working very hard. He also play’s on his high school basketball team, & he practices everyday. And most important he doing good academically. Here are some pictures of his different stages of his chair/bench. We are having a seat and back rest custom made out of black leather. They should be done in about a month. Thank’s for looking.

I could not agree anymore than the comments above. I could perhaps just add. And that would be to say that you have obviously instilled something in this young man that by your own words you said ” I was thinking he wouldn’t reach this level of concentration until he was a little older.” that even yourself found surprising. What you have done as a father is to be commended. You have allowed him and shown him what he needed to do, and now you get to step back and be proud, as you should be. It is you after all, that started this! But on a more personal level from me, you have now made a memory with your son that he gets to have with him the rest of his life. I am sure he will carry it with him forever. What a wonderful story. And I thank you for sharing!PEACE!!!

-- Allison, Northeastern Ca. Remember, Amateurs built the Ark. Professionals built the Titanic!

Like father, like son. That’s a really nice bench. Well done. Now don’t underestimate teenagers… I was in university at age 16 but my nailed together speaker stand looked nothing that nice or sophisticated.